@sgtsphynx: Oh man. I don't think I want to do the math... all in, at least $1500. I built in stages. The biggest expense was the conversion to electric. Between my controllers and elements, it cost probably somewhere around $800.
@james_ex_machina: there are a few local breweries doing some AWESOME stuff. Lord Hobo brewing makes some wonderful beer. I especially recommend their "Steal This Can" IPA. Also great is "Boom Sauce". Another brewery, Jack's Abbey, does lagers only. They have a great IPL called "Hoponius Union". Clown Shoes is another good brewery. Their clementine wheat is wonderful. I'd also try to find anything by Slumbrew. They're from my former hometown of Somerville, just outside Boston. They make a mean IPA and porter.
@blacklab: no scorching issues for me. I keep my pump fully open once the grain bed is set and don't have any issues. As long as you're monitoring flow you're good.
That said, I may move to a HERMS some day. I like the concept of using the sparge water to clean your heat exchanger coil and I love the idea of fewer heating elements.
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